Rotary moldboard plow



June 16, 1953 H. F; HALL ROTARY MOLDBOARD PLOW Filed March 29, 1947 J/ /NM/v TUF? HAROLD -F. HALL EVMM%MJ /7 r TURA/EVE Patented June 16,A 1953 .'ff

' -[YUNITED sTATEs PATENT voFFlcE .2,641,984 ROTARY MoLDoAR'n ILoivr l w Harold F. Hall, Portland,*reg. Application March 29, 1947,.,seria1Nc. 738,1i4

s cnims. (cran-212i l This invention relates to improvements in rotary plows for cutting, pulverizing and mlxmg fsoil, grain stubble and corn stalks, as well as fertilizer, cover crops and other vegetable matter.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved rotary plow/'construction having a series of'cutting blades which are individually removable to facilitate replacement when any of l'the blades becomel damaged. Other'objects are to provide a rotary plow construction in which the 'arrangement of the blades' may be varied to suit 'different conditions and purposes, to provide improved means for clamping the blades individuallyV on the cutter Vshaft in adjustedA position, to

provi'de-aversatile -construction which may also be used-for mounting non-rotating earth working blades, and tov provide novel self-sharpening blades.

Tl-e present plow is designed to till the soil in ra manner-similar to the action of the conventionall moldboard plow leaving the soil in rough furrows, but it can also be adjusted to pulverize the soil, -thefplowingaction being controllable to ineet the requirements of the particular soil at the particular season when theground is worked. The construction-isl suchl as'to render the adjustment for different types ofplowing action simple yand quickly accomplished. This versatility is obtained bythe use Aof removable blades which may y sharpening by the abrasive action `or' the ground.

may becontrolled so` that it is possible withA one plow to accomplish different types of work ordinarily requiring various implements lused in succession. The rotary cutting action of the present plow enables soil to -be worked tha-t would be too g wet to` be cultivated by conventional methods.

The motive power may be mountedon thel plow unit'fitself or it may be supplied from thepower take-offlof the tractor which is`V used to pull the p'lo'wl` The speed of the rotor may be adjusted by suitable-mechanismrto produce the kind of action desired with apartlcular number and arrange'- mt-of'clitterblades.

'-'The individual cutter blades are constructed of lamfnatedsteel' of. different hardness whichv may comprise two layers to present a hard front face 1 iii soils.

yjusted t'o accomplish thisv purpose.

These cutter blades are relatively inexpensive individually and are designed to be easily secured in or removed from socket-like holders or 'clamps associated with the shaft. 'The blades are of sturdy construction to handle heavy and difficult Ordinary rock does not too seriously interferetwith the operation, but if a cutterV blade'is sheared-olf or damaged by a large boulder it may be easily replaced in the field with a new blade.

The-shape' of the blades, their arrangement on the shaft vand their specific construction are all Vimportantin accomplishing the desired cutting, pulverizing and mixing action. The shape of -the blades is such as to cause the cutting edges to cut .through the soil rather than to pry or tear it apart, the cutting `edges cutting out slices of soil on eachrevolution of the cutter with the curved moldboard surfaces of the blades carrying the soil -to the rear and throwing it against the apron which encloses the cutter to break up lumps and clods. .The blades are shaped to a compound curve so'that when they are spaced apart longi-v tudinally on the shaft they may be used to turn over sod infurrows in the same manner as a conventional moldboard plow, and when placed close together and driven at high speed they are effective to make a pulverized seed bed ready for immediate planting,whereby in the latter case one plow with suitable adjustments may be used to perform the work of the conventional plow, disc 'and harrow, all in the same operation. Also, a seeder may be attached directly behind the plow to accomplish immediately the sowing of ground which could not be worked until a late date in the spring. The plow is also well suited to cultivate orchard tracts and similar'lands on which cultivatingk implements are ordinarily used.

' Insomevregio'ns, the soil requires plowing that leaves heavy clods which are allowed to disintegrate by the winter rains and other weathering action, and the present plow can Veasily be adl n A Then by merely addmg more cutter blades and increasing the speed` of Vtherotor a different result can be accomplished in*- which the soil may be prepared to anenesscomparable to greenhouse screening toretarcl the upward capillarymovement of moisture from the subjsoil; This seed bed texture of f speed of rotation at which the blades are driven.y a

Straw fertilizers and cover crops are cut to such neness that they immediately start to decompose and leave no lumps, bunches yor wads which are especially objectionable in seed beds. Thenetion to mount the plow shaft at other angles with respect to the line of draft and to reverse the line of draft with respect to the direction of rotation so that the blades travel forwardly and upwardly through the soil if desired.

The shaft I2 is provided with longitudinal splines I5 to receive a series of splined collars I6 in end abutting relation along the length of the shaft. The number of splines is sufficient to permit a large variety of angular positions of the collars on the shaft. It is, of course, understood that keys may be used instead of splines to hold the collars in the desired angular positions. Each collar has a cylindrical sleeve portion I1 on one end and a flange I8 on the other end, the latter beingpro'vi'ded with an inclined wedging surface ness of the cutting action and the thoroughness Y and uniformity of the mixingV of the vegetation and soil are among the outstanding advantages of the present plow. The soil thus prepared absorbsexcessive rain and permits drainage through the loose soil without a tendency to wash the soil. With this type of plow, there is no need for a hydraulic lift to lift the plow out ofthe ground at the end of the field, since by the mere releasing of levers which hold the plow down, the cutter blades immediately work themselves to the surface of the ground. The turning :of therpower unit at the corners of the eld does not interfere with the effective use of the plow which may be Vtaken on the line 3- 3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4. is a developed view of a collar and associatedl ring showing the means for clamping the bladeren the shaft.l

The drawings illustrate the details of constructionrfor mounting a plurality of cutter blades in different angular DQStions along a shaft Which is adapted to be mounted in aframe to be hitched behind a tractor withthe shaft driven bysome means such as, for instance,V apowertakeoff from the tractorf The numeral I8 designates a portion of the plow frame having a bearing I I for mounting a shaft 'I2 carrying a plurality of cutter blades I3. Rotation is impartedto the shaft in the direction of Ythe a-rrow VI4fby a suitable variable speed driving mechanism, not shown. The shaft I2 is preferably mounted at right angles to the line of draft with the rotation be. ing in the direction ofroll but at a speed considerably faster than the translational ground speed of the plow, whereby the blades are caused to cut down into the new soil and backwardly .ibeneath the shaft to throw the cut material out to the rear and upwardly against the Venclosing apron' 'which'Y is ordinarily providedy on rotary plows.' With this direction of rotation the knifelike cutting edges of the blades chop thestubble or cover crop down against the ground for the most eective cutting action and discharge this material along with the clods of earth forcibly against the apron to break the clods and finely divide all the material. AIt is tobe understood,

Y Ill-forming one side of a tapered dovetail slot 2i).

rEhe other side of the slot is formed by an in- Asleeve portion II of the collar.

clined and angularly disposed wedging surface 2I on a ring 22 which is rotatably mounted on the A The ring 22may be rotated by teeth 23 engaged by gear teeth-24 on a locking tool 25. This tool has a cylindrical stud 2S on its end forming a journal which is receivable in a circular hole 21 which forms a bearing for the tool in the collar. Thus, by rotating the tool 25 the inclined wedging surface 2| on the ring 22 may be moved toward or away from an abutment 28 on the collar at one end of the wedging surface I9., t The dovetail slot 2i! thereby Vforms an expansible and contractible socket to receive a complementary tapered dovetail base 3|) on a blade I3. The cylindrical surface of the sleeve Il forms an arcuate bottom in this socket, the abutment 28 forms one end walland the wedging surfaces yI9 and 2I form the opposite side walls, whereby when the ring 22 is tightened on the bladebase 38 when the latter is positioned against the abutment 28 the blade is firmly clamped in place against the action of centrifugal force andthe resistance of the soil againstthe sblade. The torque of the shaft is transmitted to each blade through the abutment 28, the wedging surfaces I9 and 2I serving primarily to resist the action of centrifugal force and to hold the blade base seated securely in the socket. The rings 22 are split longitudinally and provided with a'pai-r of apertured ears 3I to receive clamping bolts 32 to hold them in position after they have been tightened by theA tool 25. The inclined sides of Vthe blade base 30 conform with the angles of the wedging surfaces I9 and 2I so that these parts t snugly when they are tightened. If desired, each ring 22 may also have an integral lug 33 which may be struck by a hammer to loosen the ring'afterit has been clamped in one pOsition so long as to become Vfast, to the collar. When each ring 22 is tightened it bears against the shoulder I8 on the next collar `whereby the end thrust from the clamping actions of the several collars and rings istransmitted to the ends 4of the shaft. A flange 35 and spacingrring 3S forms-an abutment for thisthrust on one end of the shaft, and the other end of the shaft is threaded at 31 to receive Va nutl38 which is tightened to hold the collars together. kThe nut 38 may be locked by a set screw 39v or Aother device. Any blade may be easily and quickly removed by simply loosening the clamping bolt 32j and then rotating Vthe ring 22 until the blade base can be lifted out of its arcuate socket. VThe loosening or removal of one. blade does Vnot have v,any effect upon the other blades inasmuchas the seriesof however, that itis within the scope of theinven- 7 5 collars I6 remains tight o n the shaft independescanear je'ntly of the blades; Thus,bladesmavgbeiremoved or addedas desired'togproduce different results with the plow on different types of .soil :andffor different purposes. rI 'he end ofthe shaftbeyond .theV flange 35" contains a journal'for a bearing similar to the bearing vI I, and al drivesprocket or gear. j

The present plow is called a rotary moldboard plow because each blade I3 is shaped withY a compound .curvature to cut and turn the soil or sod in somewhat -the manner of a conventional moldboardY plow;r although. the present plow: is also capable of;producingl effects beyond the limitations of the ordinary moldboard plow. As shown in Figure l, each blade I3 is straight and directed at right angles tothe shaft in its base Vportion 4 adjacent the base 30; OutWa-rdly from this base portion the blade is curved in two directions and provided with a cutting edge 4I tocut the soil and turn it over; Thus, thebladefijs curved both in a yradial direction'andalso in a transverse direction so as to present a` spiral surface having sufficient pitch to move or deflect the soil iny an axial direction to assist in the movement of turning it over. greatly strengthens and stiffens the blade. The blades may also be formed with radial or transverse ribs to impart still greater stiffness ifdesired. When the blades are spaced far apart on the shaft andare revolved relatively slowly, the soil may be turned over infurrows but with the sods broken up to a greater extent than would be accomplished by the conventional moldboard plow. This mode of operation is accomplished by merely removing the blades from certain of the collars I6 so that there will be fewer blades on the shaft with consequently greater spacing between adjacent blades.

When it is desired to work the soil into a fine condition, as for seed bed preparation, or to finely chop grain stubble or a cover crop, a blade is secured on each of the collars and a higher rotational speed is used. With this arrangement of the blades they are too close together to leave well defined furrows and so the soil is thoroughly broken up and left in a finely idivided condition with a relatively fiat and even ground surface. The angular relation of the different blades on the shaft may be changed at any time by removing the nut 38 and taking all the -collars olf the shaft. This is ordinarily not necessary, however, as the various collars may be placed on the shaft in the first place in suitable angular positions for a large number of blades so that certain blades may be removed without disturbing the remaining blades.

In the illustrated embodiment the blades are all pitched uniformly to move the soil in the same direction after the manner of conventional spiral rotary plows to create a single furrow, but an advantage of the present construction is that by installing blades of the opposite pitch the soil may be moved in the opposite direction to put the furrow on the other side of the plowed strip as may be desired in hillside plowing. Also groups of blades may be pitched in opposite directions to create a plurality of furrows if desired. It is also possible to mount all the blades in line on the same side of the shaft and lock the shaft against rotation to form a non-rotating moldboard gang plow, the individual blades being .pitched either in the same or opposite directions. In this use of the shaft as a stationary mounting means it is within the contemplation of the invention to mount still other types of blades on This double curvature also the individual collars auch asiplow shares, or

cultvator or harrow blades. The present construction is thus to. be considered asa versatile mounting which is not limited to the specific arrangement or type Qfblade illustrated.

yThe bladesv are preferably of laminated construction having either two or three layers of steel of different hardness. If two .layers are used, a single bevel` is formed on the cutting edgel as the softer metal wears away faster `than the hard metal, and if three layers are used with the hard metal in the center as shown in Figure 3 a double :bevel is formed on the cutting edge 4I. In this form of blade the inside layer 42 is formed of steel which is veryhard and wear resistant, while the outer layer-s 4i3, are relatively softer. As thesofter outside layers wear back faster than the hard centrallayer, two beveled faces 44 and 45 are formed on the cutting edge 4I to maintain its sharpness permanently. The cutting edges of the blades must be kept sharp for the .best performance of the plow, and this is especially important in cutting through grain stubble, corn stalks and various cover crops which are to be plowed under. When the blades larein sharp condition, they cut y allthis vegetable material into short lengths and distribute it evenly through the soil for rapid disintegration to enrich thesoiland to offer .the

least interference with the planting and growing of a crop on the ground thus treated.

Various changes may be made inthe construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention, and all such modifications within the scope of the appended claims are included in the invention.

Having now described my invention and in what manner the same may be used, what I claim as new and desire toA protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A rotary moldboard plowl'comprising a shaft. a plurality of collars on lsaid shaft, a clamping ring on each of said collars, a plurality of cutting blades adapted for mounting on said collars, said rings being rotatable on said collars to clamp said blades thereon.

2. A rotary moldboard plow comprising a shaft,

a plurality of collars on said shaft, a plurality of a. plurality of collars on said shaft, a rotatable I ring on each of said collars, opposed wedging surfaces on said collars and rings, and cutting blades adapted to be secured on said collars between said wedging surfaces.

4. In an earth working implement, a collar adapted for mounting xedly in selected angular position on a shaft, a socket in said collar, and a clamping ring rotatable on said collar and having a wedging surface forming a wall of said socket to clamp a blade therein.

5. A rotary plow comprising e, driven shaft mounted in a direction generally perpendicular to the line of draft, a plurality of flanged collars mounted on said shaft, blades mounted on selected ones of said collars spaced along said shaft, Veach said blade having an arcuate base portion tting said collar with said base disposed transversely of said shaft, and a ring mounted on said collar vand rotatable relative to saidflanged portion for securing said blade in a selected angular :position relative to said shaft.

6. A rotary plow comprising a driven shaft mounted in a direction generally'perpendicular to the line of draft, a plurality of flanged collars mounted on ysaid shaft, means for adjusting the angular positions of said collars relative to Said shaft, blades mounted on selected ones of said collars spaced along said shaft, each said blade having an arcuate base portion fitting said collar, means cooperating with the anged portion of each collar to mount said blade with said base disposed transversely of said shaft, and an abutment on said collar for transmitting the torque of the shaft to the blade.

7. A rotary plow comprising a driven shaft mounted in a direction generally perpendicular to the line of draft, a plurality of collars mounted on said shaft, means on said shaft for adjusting the angular positions of said -collars relative to said shaft, each collar having a cylindrical sleeve portion and a flange portion, blades mounted on selected ones of said collars spaced along said shaft, each said blade having an arcuate base portion fitting said sleeve, means cooperating with said flange to mount said blade with said base disposed transversely of said shaft, each said blade extending generally radially from said shaft and being curved in both radial and transverse directions to present a spiral surface having sufficient pitch to deflect soil in an axial direction and turn it over.

8. A rotary plow comprising a driven shaft mounted in a direction generally perpendicular to the line of draft, a plurality of flanged collars mounted on said shaft, blades mounted on selected ones of said collars spaced along said shaft,

8 means for adjusting the angular positions of said blades relative to said shaft, means cooperating with said collars to mount said blades with their bases disposed transversely of said shaft, each blade extending generally radially of said shaft and being curved in both radial and transverse directions and having a spiral surface of sufficient pitch to deflect soil in an axial direction and turn it over.

HAROLD F. HALL.

References Cited in the me of this patent UNITED sTATEs PATENTS Number Name Date 645,597 Keller et al Mar. 20, 1900 1,054,571 Lamb Feb. 25, 1913 1,076,745 Ciccolini Oct. 28, 1913 1,082,357 Playford Dec. 23, 1913 1,114,839 Wohlrab Oct. 27, 1914 1,309,801 Haderer July 15, 1919 1,402,878 Matoushek Jan. 10, 1922 1,744,597 Vasconcellos Jan. 2l, 1930 1,787,695 McKee Jan. 6, 1931 1,832,429 Sherman et al Nov. 17, 1931 1,870,044 Fellmeth Aug. 2, 1932 2,244,099 Chase June 3, 1941 2,262,885 Condo Nov. 18, 1941 2,356,072 Mahler Aug. 15, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 244,386 Germany Mar. 7, 1912 

